South Korea Admits Unsafe Concrete Mound Contributed to Deadly Jeju Air Crash

Government Acknowledges Safety Lapses in Fatal Air Disaster

The South Korean government has formally acknowledged that a concrete mound at Muan International Airport, which was a critical factor in the deadly Jeju Air Flight 2216 crash on December 29, 2024, failed to comply with established safety standards. This admission by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport marks a significant reversal of its earlier stance and has intensified public debate over aviation safety oversight and accountability in the nation.

Details of the Jeju Air Flight 2216 Crash

The incident involved Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800 carrying 175 passengers and 6 crew members, en route from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, to Muan International Airport in Muan County, South Korea. The aircraft encountered a suspected bird strike during its approach, leading to a loss of thrust in the right engine and issues with the landing gear. The pilots attempted a belly landing, but the aircraft overran the runway and collided with a concrete mound supporting a localizer antenna, a critical navigation aid for the Instrument Landing System (ILS). The collision resulted in a catastrophic explosion, killing 179 of the 181 people on board. Only two cabin crew members, seated at the rear of the aircraft, survived with serious injuries.

Violation of Safety Standards and Missed Opportunities

The concrete mound, situated approximately 199 to 250 meters beyond the runway's end, was designed to support navigation equipment. However, it failed to meet international and domestic safety standards that mandate such structures within a specific distance (240 meters) of the runway end must be 'frangible' or breakable upon impact to minimize damage to aircraft. This standard officially took effect in 2010. Investigations have revealed multiple missed opportunities to rectify this safety hazard:

• In 2007, prior to Muan Airport's opening, the Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) reportedly warned the ministry that the mound was non-compliant with installation standards.
• A 2020 upgrade project for the localizer system also failed to address the frangibility requirement, despite bidding documents calling for a review of such measures.
• The concrete embankment was also found to have been constructed thicker than its original design, further exacerbating its rigidity.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has now conceded that the localizer at Muan Airport 'failed to comply with airport safety operation standards' and should have been modified during the 2020 upgrade.

Simulation Findings and Calls for Accountability

Government-commissioned simulations conducted by the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) have indicated that the outcome of the crash could have been drastically different. These simulations concluded that if the concrete mound had not been present or had been designed to be frangible, all 181 passengers and crew would likely have survived. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, would have skidded an estimated 630 to 770 meters before coming to a stop, with limited damage and no serious injuries to those on board. Opposition lawmakers, including Kim Eun-hye of the People Power Party, have vehemently criticized the government for negligence and an alleged cover-up, demanding a thorough parliamentary inquiry. In December 2025, South Korea's parliament approved an independent investigation into the disaster. Muan International Airport remains closed as authorities pledge to review and upgrade runway safety areas nationwide to ensure compliance with international standards.